Huntington has “A Heritage of Caring”

Heritage Days 2025, June 11 through June 15, will celebrate the people of Huntington and how they care for one another with the theme, “A Heritage of Caring.” Over the years many individuals, businesses and organizations have united the community in caring for one another. Each week the Huntington County Chamber of Commerce will highlight one of these entities in this column.

The Associated Churches of Huntington have cared for third to fifth graders in Huntington County Community Schools for 80 years in 2025 through a program known as By the Book. It has provided students with religious education classes in “Bible trailers,” off of school property, with parental permission since June 20, 1945.

The organizers of Weekday Religious Education began with the purpose, “To promote and maintain weekday religious education during released time in the public schools of Huntington County.” Virgil Pasko and Joe Krider were instrumental in the ministry’s history.

The original board was led by Rev. F.C. Wacknitz with Mrs. Fred Hawes director and part time teacher for the city schools, Mrs. Don Butt and Mrs. Ed Pinkerton full time teachers in the county schools. Other teachers included Mrs. Elmer Becker, Mrs. Jean Wagner, Mrs. Mabel Zurcher who taught for 23 years and was the director of the program for 13 years retiring in 1989 and Ruth Ann Fickle.

An early historical document described the desire of those beginning the religious education program, “Our prayer is that these hundreds of children entrusted to the churches and to Weekday Religious Education will receive a faith to live by that will make them happy and useful citizens of our great country, and that they will know how to receive the good things God has provided for them.”

Today’s By the Book program is organized by the board of the Associated Churches of Huntington County led by Karen Humbarger, president, with Stephanie Thompson serving as executive director. Students are led to Bible trailers off of school grounds with a designated day for each individual school. The Bible is used as the textbook and lessons teach students that God has created each of them with a plan and a purpose for their lives. Trained teachers lead the lessons and volunteers walk/bus students to and from their respective school.

God’s Word is used to teach and equip the students with the knowledge to make right choices. The materials and coloring pages used coordinate with the day’s lesson. Every week approximately 940 students experience the love of Jesus through By the Book classes bringing hope and purpose to public schools. Storybook Bibles are presented to each third grader, Adventure Bibles are presented to each fourth grader and fifth graders receive devotionals.

An annual essay contest asks By the Book students to describe their favorite lesson and why that lesson was important to them. The essays are judged by a group of volunteers, and prizes are awarded to top essay entries. A Praise Celebration is held at the end of each school year at Central Christian Church celebrating all of the students and individuals who participated in the program for the year. The 2025 celebration will be held April 24 at 7 p.m.

The Associated Churches Board relies on donations from churches, individuals and organizations to continue the By the Book program. An annual fish fry supper, sponsored by Union Church, also helps fund the program. Many volunteers showing they care also contribute to the success of By the Book.

Visit By the Book on Facebook or the website, bythebookhuntington.org, for more information.